What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs
NFL Divisional Playoffs

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No.1 seeds in the NFC are 18-2 (.900) in the Divisional Playoffs. However, the NFC top seed has lost in the Divisional round in two of the past three seasons.

In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 12-8 (.600) record in the Divisional round during that span.

Both the No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC and the No. 1-seed New England Patriots face the New York Jets in the AFC.

The No. 1 seeds in Divisional-round play since 1990:

 

Year AFC Top Seed Divisional Result NFC Top Seed Divisional Result
Source: NFL
1990BuffaloDefeated Miami 44-34San FranciscoDefeated Washington 28-10
1991BuffaloDefeated Kansas City 37-14WashingtonDefeated Atlanta 24-7
1992PittsburghLost to Buffalo 24-3San FranciscoDefeated Washington 20-13
1993BuffaloDefeated L.A. Raiders 29-23DallasDefeated Green Bay 27-17
1994PittsburghDefeated Cleveland 29-9San FranciscoDefeated Chicago 44-15
1995Kansas CityLost to Indianapolis 10-7DallasDefeated Philadelphia 30-11
1996DenverLost to Jacksonville 30-27Green BayDefeated San Francisco 35-14
1997Kansas CityLost to Denver 14-10San FranciscoDefeated Minnesota 38-22
1998DenverDefeated Miami 38-3MinnesotaDefeated Arizona 41-21
1999JacksonvilleDefeated Miami 62-7St. LouisDefeated Minnesota 49-37
2000TennesseeLost to Baltimore 24-10New York GiantsDefeated Philadelphia 20-10
2001PittsburghDefeated Baltimore 27-10St. LouisDefeated Green Bay 45-17
2002OaklandDefeated N.Y. Jets 30-10PhiladelphiaDefeated Atlanta 20-6
2003New EnglandDefeated Tennessee 17-14PhiladelphiaDefeated Green Bay 20-17 (OT)
2004PittsburghDefeated N.Y. Jets 20-17 (OT)PhiladelphiaDefeated Minnesota 27-14
2005IndianapolisLost to Pittsburgh 21-18SeattleDefeated Washington 20-10
2006San DiegoLost to New England 24-21ChicagoDefeated Seattle 27-24 (OT)
2007New EnglandDefeated Jacksonville 31-20DallasLost to N.Y. Giants 21-17
2008TennesseeLost to Baltimore 13-10New York GiantsLost to Philadelphia 23-11
2009IndianapolisDefeated Baltimore, 20-3New OrleansDefeated Arizona, 45-14

 

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN

All four Divisional matchups this weekend are rematches of regular-season games. This includes two contests between division rivals for the first time since 2000.

2010 marks the sixth time since 1970 that all four Divisional playoff games are rematches of regular-season contests (1991, 1997, 2004, 2005 and 2008).

 

MATCHUP REGULAR SEASON RESULT(S)
Source: NFL
Baltimore at PittsburghWeek 4: Ravens 17, STEELERS 14
Week 13: Steelers 13, RAVENS 10
Green Bay at AtlantaWeek 12: FALCONS 20, Packers 17
Seattle at ChicagoWeek 6: Seahawks 23, BEARS 20
NY Jets at New EnglandWeek 2: JETS 28, Patriots 14
Week 13: PATRIOTS 45, Jets 3

 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

With a victory in Kansas City last weekend, Baltimore Ravens quarterback JOE FLACCO improved his postseason road record to 4-2 (.667).

With four postseason wins on the road, Flacco is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famers LEN DAWSON and ROGER STAUBACH and JAKE DELHOMME for the most in NFL history. With a win at Pittsburgh this weekend, Flacco can set the NFL record for road playoff wins by a quarterback with five.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL

With a victory against Baltimore on Saturday, Pittsburgh would advance to its 15th AFC Championship Game, surpassing Dallas (14) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.

The teams with the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970:

 

TEAM APPEARANCES
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers*14
Dallas Cowboys14
San Francisco 49ers12
L.A./Oakland Raiders11
L.A./St. Louis Rams9

 

RODGERS THAT

Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS has thrown seven touchdown passes in his first two postseason starts, the most in NFL history.

Rodgers will make his third postseason start in Atlanta this Saturday night. With three touchdown passes, Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO, JEFF GEORGE and DARYLE LAMONICA (9) for the most touchdown passes in the first three postseason starts of any quarterback in NFL history.

 

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY holds an 8-1 (.889) record in the postseason at home, including a 2006 Wild Card victory over the New York Jets.

With a win against the Jets on Sunday, Brady can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM KELLY (8-1, .889) for second place among quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in home playoff games in the Super Bowl era. KURT WARNER posted a perfect 7-0 record at home in the playoffs.

The quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in home playoff games in the Super Bowl era (Since 1966) (min. five games):

 

PLAYER HOME PLAYOFF RECORD WINNING PERCENTAGE
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL
Kurt Warner7-01.000
Tom Brady*8-1.889
Jim Kelly8-1.889
Troy Aikman7-1.875

 

STREAK-FREE SHINE

Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK has thrown a touchdown pass in nine consecutive postseason games.

With a touchdown pass this Sunday in Chicago, Hasselbeck can become the seventh player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive postseason games. New England's TOM BRADY (16) holds the longest active streak among playoff participants, and can add to his total this weekend.

 

PLAYER YEARS CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF
GAMES W/ TD PASS
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL
Brett Favre1995-200920
Tom Brady2002-present16*
Dan Marino1983-199513
Kurt Warner1999-200912
Joe Montana1988-199310
Ken Stabler1973-197710
Matt Hasselbeck2005-present9*

 

NFL 2010 Playoffs: What To Look For: Divisional Playoffs